By 2028, the first cohorts of Generation Alpha (Gen Alpha) – those born from 2010 onwards – will begin arriving on university campuses worldwide. This generation, projected to reach nearly 2 billion people globally, represents both the largest potential student market in history and the most technologically integrated cohort ever to enter higher education.
Research by Gen Alpha expert Mark McCrindle indicates that Gen Alpha will be the most educated generation in history, with one in two Gen Alphas predicted to obtain a university degree. So, what does the research tell us about this transformative generation?
Gen Alpha values
Unlike previous generations who adapted to technology, Gen Alpha was born into it. They’ve never known life without AI, smart devices, and on-demand technology. This fundamental difference shapes how they learn, socialise, and live, creating unique implications for student housing design and operations.
Drawing from the value systems of their Millennial parents and Generation Z mentors, Gen Alpha demonstrates remarkably strong ethical foundations from an early age. Research from VML indicates that 59% aspire to life-saving careers, while 51% seek roles with technology-driven social impact.
Environmental stewardship emerges as a defining priority, with 67% of children aged 6-9 already identifying saving the planet as a central career focus – reflecting the influence of climate activism movements they’ve witnessed throughout their formative years.
These deeply held values directly translate into consumer behaviour and brand expectations. A substantial 66% of Generation Alpha already shows a clear preference for companies demonstrating genuine social and environmental responsibility.
Other key characteristics defining this generation include a preference for “together alone” socialisation in small groups, as well as a wellbeing-centric mindset that prioritises mental health.
Delayed independence
McCrindle notes that Gen Alpha are ‘upagers’ – where physical, social, and educational sophistication begins earlier than ever before. While this early maturity brings advantages in learning and adaptability, it also creates new pressures and challenges for young people navigating complex developmental stages.
Paradoxically, while adolescence begins earlier, it also extends much longer. Traditional markers of adulthood – marriage, homeownership, career establishment, and financial independence are likely to be increasingly delayed. Gen Alpha is likely to remain in education longer, enter the workforce later, and continue living with parents well into their twenties.
This extended transition period fundamentally reshapes family dynamics, with Gen Alpha’s Millennial parents playing more active roles across a much wider age span.
Rethinking physical spaces
The design implications extend far beyond improving WiFi access. Gen Alpha’s digital environments are vast and “noisy” – available research and expert commentary suggest that their physical spaces should be the opposite, encouraging quiet, mindfulness, and pockets of peace.
Design experts predict that successful Gen Alpha accommodation will feature invisible tech integration through smart home systems that respond intuitively without manual operation, flexible digital zones that transform from study areas to collaboration hubs, dedicated rooms for hybrid learning, and AR/VR-ready spaces for immersive technologies.
Traditional common areas are also likely to need rethinking. Gen Alpha’s preference for small-group socialisation demands multiple intimate spaces rather than single large community rooms, modular furniture for different group sizes, varied seating options from chairs to floor cushions, and “permeable transition zones” that offer sensory variety between outdoor and indoor spaces.
Wellbeing-driven design of services and spaces
Perhaps most significantly, Gen Alpha approaches mental health differently than previous generations, with wellbeing support likely to be a core expectation of both Gen Alpha students and their parents. For example, McCrindle research shows that almost all parents (97 per cent) believe schools should have a holistic focus and play some role in managing wellbeing. Holistic support systems, including integrated wellness spaces with meditation rooms and fitness centres, biophilic design elements that optimise natural light and incorporate indoor gardens, multiple quiet retreat options, peer support networks, and links to broader mental health support, are likely to be critical.
Service delivery must be flexible, offering both digital and in-person options, 24/7 accessibility through apps and chatbots, AI-driven personalisation, and preventive rather than reactive care through proactive wellbeing monitoring.
Future-Proofing for unprecedented demand
Despite potential delays in leaving home, Gen Alpha’s sheer size suggests that there will continue to be strong demand for student accommodation.
Gen Alpha’s environmental consciousness demands genuine sustainability through energy-efficient buildings, sustainable materials, and solar systems rather than superficial green features. Modular construction, allowing for reconfiguration, smart building systems that learn from usage patterns, and multi-purpose, adaptable spaces are likely to be essential.
The competitive advantage will belong to providers who create environments that support holistic development for the most connected, conscious, and complex generation yet to enter higher education.
_________________________________________________
Want to dive deeper into preparing for Generation Alpha? Join us at GSL Live, where there will be a dedicated session exploring the preferences and needs of this transformative generation. Register now to secure your place.
References
- The Annie E. Casey Foundation. What is generation alpha? The Annie E. Casey Foundation, 4 November, 2020.
- Corgan, Generation Alpha: Designing for the Next Generation of Learners, Corgan, 2021.
- Joe, S. The changing face of university accommodation for Generation Alpha, 2020.
- McCrindle, M., & Fell, A. Understanding Generation Alpha. McCrindle, 2020.
- Safian-Demers, E. Who is Generation Alpha? VML, 2019.
- Thais, R. Ways to Attract Generation Alpha to Your Institutions, Keystone Education Group, 2023.
